Combustion air intake system for an off-the-road vehicle

ABSTRACT

An off-the-road dump truck is disclosed having a gas turbine engine located remote from the forward end of the truck and combustion air delivery ducts extending to the engine from the front of the truck. Each duct is supported and protected by a truck frame member and each duct is connected to an engine inlet port via a flexible connection between the duct and the engine.

United States Patent 1191 Vincenty 1March 13, 1973 1 COMBUSTION AIRINTAKE SYSTEM FOR AN OFF-THE-ROAD VEHICLE [75] Inventor: Henry EdwardVincenty, Willoughby Hills, Ohio [73] Assignee: Euclid, Inc., Cleveland,Ohio [22] Filed: Feb. 17, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 115,987

[52] U.S. Cl. ..l80/54 A, 180/66 A [51] Int. Cl. ..B60k 13/02 [58] Fieldof Search ...l80/54 A, 57, 54 F, 1 R, 66 A,

180/75; 1l5/I R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,994,3948/1961 Underwood ..l80/66 A 2,095,344 10/1937 Nelson ..1 80/54 F3,266,591 8/1966 Sampietro et al ..180/54 A FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 775,638 5/1957 Great Britain ..l80/54 A 420,616 4/1947Italy ..l80/66 A Primary Examiner--Leo Friaglia Assistant ExaminerMiltonL. Smith Att0rney-Watts, Hoffmann, Fisher & Heinke [57] ABSTRACT Anoff-the-road dump truck is disclosed having a gas turbine engine locatedremote from the forward end of the truck and combustion air deliveryducts extending to the engine from the front of the truck. Each duct issupported and protected by a truck frame member and each duct isconnected to an engine inlet port via a flexible connection between theduct and the engine.

11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATEbHFUmmms 8,720,279

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PATEF'ITFURAR 1 31m SHEET 2 OF 2 U I v i i I M INVENTOR. HENRY E.V/NCENTY BY 9V I ATTOENEAE COMBUSTION AIR INTAKE SYSTEM FOR ANOFF-THE-ROAD VEHICLE CROSS REFERENCED PATENT APPLICATIONS U. S. Pat.application Ser. No. 115,480, filed Feb. 16, 1971 entitled REAR DUMPINGVEHICLE by Douglas M. Kelley and assigned to the assignee of theapplication.

U. S. Pat. application Ser. No. 115,387, filed Feb. 16, 1971 entitledSTEERABLE LOAD TRANSPORTING VEHICLE, by Douglas M. Kelley and assignedto the assignee of this application.

U. S. Pat. application Ser. No. 63,444, filed Aug. 13, 1970, entitledEXHAUST SYSTEM FOR A LOAD DUMPING VEHICLE, by Henry E. Vincenty andassigned to the assignee of this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to vehicles having air breathing engines supportedremote from the forward end of the vehicle and more particularly relatesto such vehicles which are primarily used in off highway environments inwhich dust and dirt are likely to be ingested into the engine.

Engines located remote from the front end of vehicles have been exposedto dust and dirt thrown into the air by movement of the vehicle. Aircleaners have commonly been used to prevent dust and dirt from enteringengine air intakes. In off highway vehicles, the amount of airborne dirtand dust is great and the operation of engines has been adverselyaffected due to air cleaner clogging which restricted the flow ofcombustion air to the engine and by ingestion of dirt and dust fromdirty filters into the engines.

Gas turbine engines have been used in some land vehicles and because gasturbine engines require considerably greater amounts of air foroperation than do equivalent reciprocating piston engines, air intakesfor gas turbine engines have had large flow areas and low air flowimpedances. The possibilities of dust and dirt entering these engines,or clogging filters-at the intakes are significant because of thegreater quantities of air handled by the engines.

Where placement of a gas turbine engine remote from the forward end ofthe vehicle is desirable from the standpoint of uniform axle loaddistributions, the problems associated with dust and dirt in the intakesbecome severe. This is particularly so in off-the-road vehicles wherelarge quantities of airborne dust and dirt are common.

If the combustion air intakes were located adjacent the engine of such avehicle, the filters would rapidly load up tending to reduce the engineefficiency while increasing the chances of engine damage by ingestedparticles. Locating the engine at the forward end of the vehicle wouldreduce the problems arising from dust but would create nonuniform axleload distributions.

Placing the engine centrally in the vehicle with a combustion air ductextending between the forward end and the engine would tend to minimizethe dust problem while enabling more uniform axle loadings, but the ductvolume required for this approach was large, and available space in thevehicle for such ducting is limited. Furthermore, if the duct itself wasnot structurally strong, or shielded, it could be punctured or otherwisedamaged.

The use of vehicle frame members as ducting was not acceptable becausean initially clean passageway could not be guaranteed due to varioussubstances likely to be present in the frame after its fabrication.Further, most frame materials were subject to corrosion so that .ductsformed by the frame members could constitute self-contaminatingpassageways which could not be serviced or maintained with case.

2. The Prior Art The prior art has not proposed an off-the-road vehiclehaving a centrally supported engine and air intake ducting which: Isprotected against damage during operation of the vehicle over roughterrain; Occupies minimal, otherwise unused, space in the vehicle; lsreadily serviceable; Does not of itself contaminate the intake air; and,In which the ingestion of dust into the engine is minimized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a new andimproved land vehicle having an air breathing engine centrally locatedon the vehicle frame near the vehicle center of gravity and whereinclean combustion air is communicated from the forward end of the vehicleto the engine through ducting which coextends with and is supported inand protected by the frame members of the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle is an off-thehighway type reardumping truck having four wheel assemblies which support a main frame.The frame includes a pair of longitudinal frame members which convergetowards each other at a small acute angle proceeding towards the forwardend of the vehicle.

A prime mover including a gas turbine engine is supported substantiallyat the center of gravity of the vehicle between the forward and rearpairs of truck wheel assemblies and on the center line of the vehiclebetween the main frame members. Combustion air for the engine isintroduced into the engine through a combustion air delivery systemextending from engine air intake openings to the forward end of thevehicle to assure that the cleanest available air (i.e. the air at thefront of the vehicle) is directed to the engine.

The preferred combustion air delivery system receives air from a singleinlet, splits the flow of air through a pair of ducts housed by the mainframe members and delivers the air torespective air intakes at oppositesides of the engine. The system includes a plenum chamber at the forwardend of the vehicle which houses an air cleaner. The air flowing throughthe plenum is channeled into one of the ducts.

Each duct is received within a respective main frame member so that theframe member supports the duct and protects the duct from damage. Theducts are constructed from a non-corrosive sheet metal material whichcan be cleaned out after the ducts are fabricated. The ducts are ofrectangular cross sectional shape and are sized to be removable fromtheir respective frame members for inspection and servicing if desired.

The location of the ducts in the otherwise unused space of the framemembers effectively increases the space available for other componentson the vehicle frame. Assembly of the ducts to the frame members assuresadequate support for the ducts.

The rearward ends of the ducts are connected to the engine inlet portsby flexible couplings which enable relative motion between the engineand ducts. In a preferred embodiment, vanes in the ducts guide the flowof air smoothly into the intakes so that turbulence and consequent flowimpedance adjacent the intake is avoided.

A principal object of the present invention is the provision of a newand improved land vehicle having an air breathing engine supportedremote from the forward end of the vehicle and a combustion air deliverysystem which communicates air intake openings in the engine with theforward end of the vehicle through ducts which coextend with and aresupported and protected by vehicle frame members.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description thereof made with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view seenfrom the planeindicated by the line 6-6 in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INvENTIoN A truck 10 embodying the presentinvention is illustrated in the drawings. The truck 10 includes groundengaging wheel assemblies l2, 14, 16, 18 on which a frame 20 issuspended. The frame 20 supports a dump body 22 which is tiltable on theframe to dump a load supported in the body at the rear of the truck. Aprime mover 24 is supported by the frame 20 beneath the dump body 22 anda control section generally designated at 26 is mounted forwardly of thedump body. The control section 26 includes a cab and associated controlsystems which are not illustrated or described in detail.

The traction and wheel assemblies l2, 14, 16, 18-

each have dual ground engaging dirigible tires and each includes anelectric motor and transmission for driving the ground engaging tires.Each of the assemblies is independently driven and the front wheelassemblies 12,

14 are steerable. The traction wheel assemblies are generally describedin the above-referenced application to Kelley and since theconstructional details of the assemblies are not essential tounderstanding the present invention reference should be made to thatapplication for more detailed information concerning the wheelassemblies.

The frame 20 is generally wedge-shaped when viewed in plan and includesmain frame members 30, 32 which converge towards each other at a smallacute angle proceeding forwardly along the vehicle. The frame members30, 32 are spaced apart by cross braces which extend between them. Crossbraces 34, 36, 38 are schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. The crossbrace 34 is located at the forward end 40 of the vehicle. The

cross brace 38 is located at the rearward end 42 of the vehicle and thecross brace 36 is located substantially intermediate the ends of thevehicle.

The frame members 30, 32 are each preferably channel-like or box sectionmembers (FIG. 6). Each frame member has a generally vertical web 44 andhorizontal upper and lower flanges 46, 48 which extend from the webtowards the vehicle centerline. Flange lips 50, 52 are formed at theprojecting ends of the flanges 46, 48 respectively. The lips extendtowards each other so that each frame member is somewhat tubular in thatit defines a longitudinal chamber having a longitudinal access opening54 between the flange lips 50, S2.

The dump body 22 is connected to the frame 20 by a pivot construction 56at the rear end of the frame. The dump body is tilted between its loadcarrying position, illustrated in FIG. 1, and a dumping position byhydraulic rams 58 which are connected between the frame and the dumpbody. A further description of the dump body and its operation is foundin the above-referenced application to Vincenty.

The prime mover 24 is supported by the frame substantially at the centerof gravity of the truck and remote from the forward end. In thepreferred embodiment, the prime mover includes a gas turbine engine 60which drives an alternator. The alternator forms a power supply forelectric motors which drive the vehicle wheel assemblies and power othercomponent systems.

The gas turbine engine includes a compressor section 64, a fuel burnersection 66 and a turbine section 68. The constructional details of theengine may be conventional and therefore are not illustrated ordescribed in further detail.

Combustion air is introduced into the compressor section 64 by acombustion air delivery system 70. Exhaust gas is directed from theturbine section 68 through an exhaust system which is generallydesignated at 72. The exhaust system 72 is described the same as thatwhich is illustrated and described in the above cross-referencedapplication to Vincenty and that application should be referred to forfurther detailed description of the system 72.

The system opens at the forward end of the vehicle through an inletplenum chamber 76. The plenum chamber 76 has an open side 78 which maybe covered by a-suitable grillwork. An air cleaner 82 is supported inthe chamber 76 across the opening 78. The air cleaner may be of anysuitable construction and is shown schematically (FIG. 3).

A pair of rearwardly extending ducts 84, 86 extend between the plenumchamber 76 and the compressor section of the engine. The ducts 84, 86branch from the plenum chamber and extend rearwardly toward the engine.Each duct 84, 86 coextends with a respective frame member 30, 32 and thelongitudinal chamber in the respective frame member defines a ductreceptacle in which the duct is supported and protected.

As is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the duct 84 includes a connectingflange portion 87 by which the duct is connected to the plenum chamber76. The cuts 84 is received by the duct supporting receptacle in thechannel-like frame member 32 so that the duct extends adjacent the weband is supported by the flange 48 through a portion of its length. Asshown in FIG. 6, the

duct is substantially rectangular in cross section and has a heightwhich is less than the distance between the lips 50, 52 of theframemember. The duct can thus be inserted and removed from the framemember through the access opening 54 when desired.

A rearward end 88 of the duct 84 defines a'right angle bend whichextends from the frame member 30 towards the engine. The right anglebend at the end 88 of the duct 84 is provided with a series of vanes 92which streamline the flow of air around the turn. The duct terminates ata flange 93 which is bolted to a flexible coupling section 94 extendingbetween the flange 93 and an intake port of the engine. The flexiblecoupling section 94 is preferably constructed from a rubberized materialwhich is transversely corrugated to permit easy flexure and enablesrelative movement between the duct 84 and the engine without damagingthe duct structure.

The construction and arrangement of the duct 86 and associated parts issubstantially the same as described above in reference to the duct 84and accordingly the duct 86 and associated parts are not described indetail. Parts associated with the duct 86 which are similar to the partsdescribed above in reference to the duct 84 are indicated bycorresponding reference characters.

Although a single embodiment of the present invention has beenillustrated and described in considerable detail, the present inventionis not to be considered to be limited to the precise construction shown.Various adaptations, modifications and uses of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover herebyall such adaptations, modifications and uses which come within the scopeof the appended claims. I

What is claimed is:

1. In an off-the-highway load hauling vehicle having ground engagingpropelling members, a vehicle frame suspended on said ground engagingmembers and extending longitudinally of said vehicle, and a loadreceiving body portion:

a. an air breathing combustion engine supported by said frame remotefrom a forward end of said vehicle;

dinally extending frame member defined by a web and longitudinallyextending flanges which project from a face of said web, said flangesand web defining a longitudinally extending cavity having an accessopening defined between projecting sides of said flanges; and,

c. a combustion air delivery system communicating said engine with airat said forward end of said vehicle;

. said delivery system comprising:

1. structure defining an air inlet opening at said forward end of thevehicle;

2. at least one duct member for communicating said opening with an airinlet section of said engine; and,

3. said duct member coextending with a portion of said longitudinallyextending vehicle frame member and disposed in said cavity, said ductmember supported and protected by said frame member and removable viasaid access opening.

. said vehicle frame comprising at least one longitu- 2. In a vehicle asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said projecting sides of said flanges aredefined at least in part by longitudinally extending flange lips, theflange lips of each flange extending toward the other flange and saidaccess opening being defined between said flange lips.

3. An off-the-highway load hauling vehicle comprisa. ground engagingpropelling members;

b. a vehicle frame suspended on said ground engaging members andextending longitudinally of said vehicle, said frame being generallywedge-shaped when viewed in. plan and comprising first and secondlongitudinal frame members extending from near the forward end of thevehicle toward the rearward end;

c. a load receiving body portion;

d. an air breathing combustion engine supported by said frame remotefrom a forward end of said vehicle; and,

e. a combustion air delivery system communicating said engine with airat said forward end of said vehicle;

f. said delivery system comprising:

1. structure defining an air inlet opening and an inlet chamber adjacentsaid forward end of the vehicle;

2. first and second duct members opening into said chamber forcommunicating said inlet opening with an air inlet section of saidengine; and,

3. each of said duct members coextending with a respective frame memberand supported and protected by said respective frame member.

4. A vehicle as claimed in claim. 3 wherein said frame members are ofchannel-like cross sectional shape and comprise a web and verticallyspaced flanges extending from said web, each of said duct membersextending adjacent said web and between said flanges of a respectiveframe member along a portion of the length of said frame member betweensaid inlet chamber and said engme.

5. A vehicle as claimed in claim 3 wherein said duct members arecomposed of noncorrosive material.

6. A vehicle as claimed in claim 3 wherein said inlet chamber is definedby a plenum structure, and further comprising an inlet air cleanersupported by said plenum structure adjacent the forward end of saidvehicle.

7. An automotive vehicle comprising:

a. a frame comprising at least a pair of frame members extendinglongitudinally of the vehicle;

b. a gas turbine engine supported by said frame remote from a forwardend of said vehicle;

0. an intake air delivery system between said engine and the forward endof the vehicle comprising:

1. at least an intake air duct extending from said forward end of thevehicle to a location adjacent said engine; and,

2. passage means for communicating said duct with said engine; 7

d. at least one frame member defining a longitudinally extending ductreceptacle in which said at least one duct is supported and protected,said frame member comprising a box section structural member having alongitudinal access opening for said duct.

8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 7 wherein said duct member receptacleand having a longitupassage means is defined by a flexible conduitextenddinally extending access opening, said duct ing between saidengine and said duct. member supported by said at least one frame 9. Avehicle as claimed in claim 7 wherein said member i hi id receptaclethroughout a bdelivery system further comprises a plenum chamber Stamia]portion f the length f said duct member defining an opening at theforward end of said vehicle whereby said duct member is protected bysaid and an air filter in said plenum chamber between said one framemember yet is accessible via said access duct and said opening. opening10. An automotive vehicle comprising:

a. a vehicle frame comprising at least first and second 10longitudinally extending frame members;

b. an engine supported by said frame remote from a forward end of thevehicle;

c. an engine intake air delivery system for communicating intake air tosaid engine from a forward end of the vehicle comprising:

1. structure defining an intake air opening adjacent the forward end ofsaid vehicle; and, 2. at least one intake air duct communicating with11. A vehicle as claimed in claim 10 wherein the other of said first andsecond frame members comprises a generally box section structural memberdefining a duct member receptacle and having a longitudinally extendingaccess opening, and further including a second duct member extendingfrom adjacent the forward end of the vehicle to a location at leastadjacent the engine and supported in the duct member receptacle of saidother frame member throughout a substantial portion of the length ofsaid second duct member,

Said opening and extending from adjacent the said structure defining anintake air opening adjacent forward and of the vehicle to a location atleast the forward end of said vehicle providlng an intake an adjacentthe engine; chamber adjacent said opening, said duct members d. at leastone of said frame members comprising a openmg Into Sald chamber'generally box section structural member defining a

1. In an off-the-highway load hauling vehicle having ground engagingpropelling members, a vehicle frame suspended on said ground engagingmembers and extending longitudinally of said vehicle, and a loadreceiving body portion: a. an air breathing combustion engine supportedby said frame remote from a forward end of said vehicle; b. said vehicleframe comprising at least one longiTudinally extending frame memberdefined by a web and longitudinally extending flanges which project froma face of said web, said flanges and web defining a longitudinallyextending cavity having an access opening defined between projectingsides of said flanges; and, c. a combustion air delivery systemcommunicating said engine with air at said forward end of said vehicle;d. said delivery system comprising:
 1. structure defining an air inletopening at said forward end of the vehicle;
 2. at least one duct memberfor communicating said opening with an air inlet section of said engine;and,
 3. said duct member coextending with a portion of saidlongitudinally extending vehicle frame member and disposed in saidcavity, said duct member supported and protected by said frame memberand removable via said access opening.
 1. structure defining an airinlet opening and an inlet chamber adjacent said forward end of thevehicle;
 1. structure defining an air inlet opening at said forward endof the vehicle;
 1. In an off-the-highway load hauling vehicle havingground engaging propelling members, a vehicle frame suspended on saidground engaging members and extending longitudinally of said vehicle,and a load receiving body portion: a. an air breathing combustion enginesupported by said frame remote from a forward end of said vehicle; b.said vehicle frame comprising at least one longiTudinally extendingframe member defined by a web and longitudinally extending flanges whichproject from a face of said web, said flanges and web defining alongitudinally extending cavity having an access opening defined betweenprojecting sides of said flanges; and, c. a combustion air deliverysystem communicating said engine with air at said forward end of saidvehicle; d. said delivery system comprising:
 1. structure defining anintake air opening adjacent the forward end of said vehicle; and,
 1. atleast an intake air duct extending from said forward end of the vehicleto a location adjacent said engine; and,
 2. passage means forcommunicating said duct with said engine; d. at least one frame memberdefining a longitudinally extending duct receptacle in which said atleast one duct is supported and protected, said frame member comprisinga box section structural member having a longitudinal access opening forsaid duct.
 2. In a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said projectingsides of said flanges are defined at least in part by longitudinallyextending flange lips, the flange lips of each flange extending towardthe other flange and said access opening being defined between saidflange lips.
 2. at least one intake air duct communicating with saidopening and extending from adjacent the forward end of the vehicle to alocation at least adjacent the engine; d. at least one of said framemembers comprising a generally box section structural member defining aduct member receptacle and having a longitudinally extending accessopening, said duct member supported by said at least one frame memberwithin said receptacle throughout a substantial portion of the length ofsaid duct member whereby said duct member is protected by said one framemember yet is accessible via said access opening.
 2. at least one ductmember for communicating said opening with an air inlet section of saidengine; and,
 2. first and second duct members opening into said chamberfor communicating said inlet opening with an air inlet section of saidengine; and,
 3. each of said duct members coextending with a respectiveframe member and supported and protected by said respective framemember.
 3. An off-the-highway load hauling vehicle comprising: a. groundengaging propelling members; b. a vehicle frame suspended on said groundengaging members and extending longitudinally of said vehicle, saidframe being generally wedge-shaped when viewed in plan and comprisingfirst and second longitudinal frame members extending from near theforward end of the vehicle toward the rearward end; c. a load receivingbody portion; d. an air breathing combustion engine supported by saidframe remote from a forward end of said vehicle; and, e. a combustionair delivery system communicating said engine with air at said forwardend of said vehicle; f. said delivery system comprising:
 3. said ductmember coextending with a portion of said longitudinally extendingvehicle frame member and disposed in said cavity, said duct membersupported and protected by said frame member and removable via saidaccess opening.
 4. A vehicle as claimed in claim 3 wherein said framemembers are of channel-like cross sectional shape and comprise a web andvertically spaced flanges extending from said web, each of said ductmembers extending adjacent said web and between said flanges of arespective frame member along a portion of the length of said framemember between said inlet chamber and said engine.
 5. A vehicle asclaimed in claim 3 wherein said duct members are composed ofnoncorrosive material.
 6. A vehicle as claimed in claim 3 wherein saidinlet chamber is defined by a plenum structure, and further comprisingan inlet air cleaner supported by said plenum structure adjacent theforward end of said vehicle.
 7. An automotive vehicle comprising: a. aframe comprising at least a pair of frame members extendinglongitudinally of the vehicle; b. a gas turbine engine supported by saidframe remote from a forward end of said vehicle; c. an intake airdelivery system between said engine and the forward end of the vehiclecomprising:
 8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 7 wherein said passagemeans is defined by a flexible conduit extending between said engine andsaid duct.
 9. A vehicle as claimed in claim 7 wherein said deliverysystem further comprises a plenum chamber dEfining an opening at theforward end of said vehicle and an air filter in said plenum chamberbetween said duct and said opening.
 10. An automotive vehiclecomprising: a. a vehicle frame comprising at least first and secondlongitudinally extending frame members; b. an engine supported by saidframe remote from a forward end of the vehicle; c. an engine intake airdelivery system for communicating intake air to said engine from aforward end of the vehicle comprising: